In 2009, Carlos Tevez completed a controversial move to Manchester City and quickly shared what he had learned from his two years working under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United
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Carlos Tevez signs for Manchester City
Carlos Tevez passed on lessons he had learned at Manchester United after signing for Manchester City
(Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)
It's been revealed how Carlos Tevez used his time at Manchester United to influence Manchester City's rise.
The Argentine forward had spent two years on loan at United before infamously joining City from West Ham in 2009. While at Old Trafford, Tevez won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, Club World Cup and League Cup.
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Despite signing for United's rivals, Tevez was eager to share what he had learned from his time under Sir Alex Ferguson with his new team-mates. City may have had the money to buy top-quality players, but Tevez felt that sharing the wisdom he gleaned from United was the key to ending the club’s trophy drought, serving as a reminder for when the red side of the city was the benchmark for success.
The following year, Yaya Toure arrived from Barcelona and found Tevez trying to replicate the culture at United in an effort to help City achieve success. “Because Tevez was already there. And Tevez, as well, was someone... Of course, in training, he was not the best. But he was the one with the mentality,” Toure explained on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways.
“He was like, ‘Guys, when I was…’ Because he was always saying that. ‘Guys, when I was with Man United, the players like [Nemanja] Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, all that. Well, that's what they do. Yeah, guys, we have to do more'.”
“And that's training, even in the games,” Toure told Ferdinand. “And everywhere, even in the dressing room where we sat, we had a meal together after the training. It was like dedication. It was application and discipline.
Carlos Tevez as a Manchester United player
Toure claims that Tevez often spoke about his time at United(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
“Because, of course, when the clubs have to come in, the clubs, before coming to that period, we have a lot of things going through. We have players who are not focused enough. We have players who are not competing enough.”
By Toure's admission, Tevez may not have been the best player on the training pitch, but the striker did captain City to their first major trophy in 35 years in the 2011 FA Cup final. Toure scored the game’s only goal against Stoke City, setting the club on course for further success. In the 2011/12 season, despite falling out with manager Roberto Mancini, Tevez returned to the squad to help clinch their first league title since 1968 in dramatic fashion on the final day, breaking United hearts in the process.
He relished his part in fuelling the rivalry between the Manchester clubs as City edged closer to Ferguson’s side. City had unveiled a controversial 'Welcome to Manchester' billboard to celebrate Tevez's arrival, and it was an act that did not sit well with Ferguson.
Carlos Tevez
Tevez knew Fergie's Red Devils were the benchmark to reach(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
"All they can talk about is Manchester United," Ferguson said. "They can’t get away from it. That arrogance will be rewarded. It is a go at us, that’s the one thing it is. They think taking Carlos Tevez away from Manchester United is a triumph. It is poor stuff.”
The previous season, City had finished 10th. However, Tevez was clear about his desire to help then-manager Mark Hughes win trophies.
"The objective is to win the league, that is what we have talked about and I'm here to make my contribution to the cause on a daily basis," he explained upon signing for his new team. "I'm here to win things and I make that pledge now to my team-mates and our fans. I will give everything to help City become one of the biggest and most important clubs in England - and win some trophies."
During his two seasons with United, Tevez scored 34 goals in 99 games. He was more prolific during his four-year spell at City, netting 73 goals in 148 games before leaving for Juventus in 2013.
Listen to the full Rio Meets Yaya Touré interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.